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Topic: Any books out there that give a basic rundown of rocket science? (Read 17083 times)

I know that "basic" and "rocket science" don't exactly go well together, but I thought I would ask anyway.

I've always been interested in space, but I know little to nothing about the technology that gets us there. The end goal is to know and understand the terminology and basic concepts of rocketry, and the science behind it.

I plan on taking courses in physics eventually, but it's not currently my highest priority. Any book recommendations?

"Fundamentals of Astrodynamics," by Bate, Mueller, and White. It's about orbital mechanics and planning spacecraft orbits. It's informative and structured as a textbook--lots of practice problems. Its use of imperial units is annoying in this day and age, but that's a surmountable issue.

"Fundamentals of Astrodynamics," by Bate, Mueller, and White. It's about orbital mechanics and planning spacecraft orbits. It's informative and structured as a textbook--lots of practice problems. Its use of imperial units is annoying in this day and age, but that's a surmountable issue.

When I was looking for perturbation math I found this book. Recommend it.

And that reminds me, I never did find an open source alternative to the HORIZONS system, anyone know of one? Or would like to work on one?

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I hear those things are awfully loud. It glides as softly as a cloud. What's it called? Monowhale!

Rocket Propulsion Elements - An Introduction To The Engineering of Rocketsby George P Sutton

It is *the* Bible of "rocket science" and is commonly referred to simply as "Sutton's".

Yes. Any version, really. Just buy it. Used, it's pretty cheap.

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Chris Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

To the maximum extent practicable, the Federal Government shall plan missions to accommodate the space transportation services capabilities of United States commercial providers. US law http://goo.gl/YZYNt0

Does any of these books have any engineering data about rocket engines or they are about just theory and physics?

I'd love to look at P&ID diagramm of any real liquid rocket engine, but haven't found any. Is it classified/commercial secret?

If not, maybe somebody knows where to find such information? I'ts just so interesting

« Last Edit: 05/01/2012 06:07 PM by Archer »

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The future is better than the past. Despite the crepehangers, romanticists, and anti-intellectuals, the world steadily grows better because the human mind, applying itself to environment, makes it better. With hands...with tools...with horse sense and science and engineering. (c) R. A. Heinlein

Does any of these books have any engineering data about rocket engines or they are about just theory and physics?

I'd love to look at P&ID diagramm of any real liquid rocket engine, but haven't found any. Is it classified/commercial secret?

If not, maybe somebody knows where to find such information? I'ts just so interesting

Sutton mixes existing engineering data with the physics, with all kinds of diagrams and stuff. Just buy it.

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Chris Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.

To the maximum extent practicable, the Federal Government shall plan missions to accommodate the space transportation services capabilities of United States commercial providers. US law http://goo.gl/YZYNt0

If you want to to learn something about rocketry build your own model rockets up to the very large L1, L2,L3 class this will teach you the basics of rockets (solid Propulsion) and Fundamentals of Astrodynamics.

Does any of these books have any engineering data about rocket engines or they are about just theory and physics?

I'd love to look at P&ID diagramm of any real liquid rocket engine, but haven't found any. Is it classified/commercial secret?

If not, maybe somebody knows where to find such information? I'ts just so interesting

depending upon where you live and how far you are willing to travel there are several excellent museums where you can walk right up and look at any number of these. I suggest for instance the Air & Space museum in Kalamazoo Michigan for one - the Museum of the Air Force in Dayton Ohio is free and has an entire wing devoted to missile/rocket & engine development, and of course there are the NASA visitor centers in Huntsville Alabama and Cocoa Beach Florida (among others). Heck at the one in Alabama you can even check out the rocket at the rest center off of the interstate.

If you want to to learn something about rocketry build your own model rockets up to the very large L1, L2,L3 class this will teach you the basics of rockets (solid Propulsion) and Fundamentals of Astrodynamics.

Hey, it worked for me. That is, until ATF started regulating AP motors...about the time that fiasco finally ended, our club lost their field. Waahh...